Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma informed the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that the state government has engaged a total of 36 individual consultants and 59 consultancy firms. Responding to a question raised by opposition VPP MLA Heavingstone Kharpran, the Chief Minister detailed that the total annual expenditure on monthly remuneration for individual consultants amounts to ₹4.35 crore for the financial year 2024–25.
Sangma clarified the distinction between individual consultants and consultancy firms, stating that consultancy firms are not paid salaries or monthly remuneration like government employees. Instead, they are compensated through consultancy fees, which are based on deliverables and terms specified in their respective contracts.